David Moyes' choice of assistant at West Ham has provoked a strong reaction
David Moyes is set to become West Ham United manager
The former Manchester United manager will reportedly be appointed on an initial six-month contract until the end of the season, and is tasked with helping the Hammers remain in the Premier League.
West Ham are in 18th place after 11 games, with just two wins from the opening two months of the season. So, naturally they figured the man to keep them up is Moyes, who oversaw Sunderland's relegation from the top-flight and United's relegation from the top six of the Premier League.
Five things you might not know about West Ham's new manager, whose favourite TV show is the news... #moyes pic.twitter.com/e84ohu0TBu
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOE_UK) November 6, 2017
Moyes will reportedly be offered a two-year deal if he can help keep West Ham up, and reverse the considerable slide in his own career. Since leaving Everton for Manchester United in 2013, Moyes' career has completely nosedived. His reign of terror at Old Trafford was brought to an end after less than a year, as the club slipped to seventh in the league. He then had a spell in-charge of Real Sociedad, but was sacked a year into the job.
When he became Sunderland manager, he immediately spoke about how the club would be in a relegation battle and would struggle to stay up. Sure enough, Sunderland were relegated, with Moyes displaying little tactical awareness, positivity or tact when dealing with the media. He recruited former Everton players on free transfers and spent what little money he had on Papy Djilobodji, a defender whose Chelsea career amounted to less than 60 seconds playing time.
Yet, he's set to be a Premier League manager again, despite the fact Sam Allardyce and Richard Keys reckon British managers are "second-class citizens" in English football.
However, maybe Moyes will prove everyone wrong and show he's still a decent manager, or "fit for high office" as Alex Ferguson said when he chose the 54-year-old as his successor.
Moyes' appointment has, unsurprisingly, provoked a strong reaction.
West Ham hierarchy been shaken by fans response to prospect of David Moyes becoming their next manager but he is still expected to take over
— Jason Burt (@JBurtTelegraph) November 5, 2017
And so has his choice of assistant. According to reports, Alan Irvine, Chris Woods and Stuart Pearce are set to be part of Moyes' coaching staff.
We understand at @MailSport that David Moyes wants Stuart Pearce on his coaching staff as a former West Ham player
— Matt Lawton (@Lawton_Times) November 6, 2017
Phil Neville had been touted as a possible assistant for Moyes, but unfortunately it appears he'll still be a pundit this season and won't be taking his place on the Hammers' coaching staff. Few saw Pearce's appointment coming. The former Nottingham Forest and England U21 manager played for West Ham between 1999 and 2001, and therefore "knows the club", as the Proper Football Men will undoubtedly say in the days and weeks to come.
Pearce's record as a manager isn't exactly brilliant. In 2009, he guided the English U21 team to European Championship final, where they lost 4–0 to Germany. He coached the Great British Olympic football team at the 2012 Games in London, and was Manchester City manager between 2005 and 2007.
Pearce's most famous moment as a manager was playing goalkeeper David James as a centre-forward in a City match. So, Joe Hart might now get a chance to form a strike partnership with Andy Carroll.
Some reckon it's a good move by Moyes to bring in the former England defender.
The only thing that’s slightly making me positive about Moyes coming in is Stuart Pearce coming in too. He won’t stand for any shit.
— Lawrence Belcher (@Lawrenceee_B) November 6, 2017
The only positive about Moyes coming in is that Stuart Pearce is allegedly coming as well. At least he should get the players going!
— Michael Fogg (@SirFogg) November 6, 2017
We have to get behind Moyes whether we like it or not. Stuart Pearce as his assistant might help kick some arses into shape as well. ⚒⚒⚒
— Neil Thompson (@NeilThomo970) November 6, 2017
the only good thing about Moyes is Stuart Pearce coming as a coach. Will give the players a kick up the arse
— JM. (@JamieMehmet5) November 6, 2017
But others aren't so sure.
To replace one failed manager, West Ham decide on Moyes, Alan Irvine and Stuart Pearce... three failed managers! #TheWestHamWay #COYI ⚒⚒
— Gianluca Paci (@lucapaci_) November 6, 2017
